A small nocturnal animal and gifted hunter, cacomixtles feed on small animals
including chickens and domestic birds. Cacomixtles can be spotted in forested
areas of the Mundo Maya.

Coatimundi

The
habitat is on the forest floor in South America and Central America. The diet
is insects, spiders, lizards, rodents and also fruit. It's enemies are jaguar,
boas, and large birds of prey.
Coatis belong to the raccoon family. Their length is about 30-50 inches and
their weight is about 6 pounds. Males are slightly bigger than females.
Coatis are most active during the day. They will sometimes venture into the
local people's village and dig through their trash. They have strong claws
which help them climb and dig food out of decaying logs. When they climb trees
they use their tails for balancing.
They can have 3-7 young. The baby coati is about 10 inches long at birth.
Babies are born with eyes and ears closed. Coatis can live as long as 14 years.
Adult males are solitary in nature. Females and the young form "bands"
(groups) with other coatis.

Paca

The
Paca eats all fallen fruits except for citrus. It's enemies are many larger
animals and hunters who hunt them with dogs. Pacas usually run away from their
enemies. When disturbed they will let out a barking type noise. The paca has
a short tail. It measures 24 1/2 - 32 1/2 inches. It weighs between 19 and
22 pounds. The Paca lives in a den. They are a solitary creature and are mainly
nocturnal and are very good swimmers.

Bairds Tapier

The
habitat is the South American Rainforests, parts of Central America and Southeast
Asia. Their diet is mostly grass (green shoots), twigs and shrubs. It's enemies
are poachers (for leather) and big cats like the jaguar.
There are 4 species of tapirs (3 in Central and South America, 1 in Southeast
Asia). They are often found around water and are very good swimmers. They
can hide and stay underwater for a couple of minutes. Tapirs are usually in
no hurry and move about slowly. They look like a cross between a pig and an
elephant. Tapirs have an excellent sense of smell and good hearing.
The female tapir normally gives birth to a single striped calf. Some have
been known to grow nearly eight feet long.
Tapirs can live about 25-30 years in the wild. They are mainly nocturnal and
usually solitary.

Grey Fox

Grey
foxes resemble small, gracile dogs with bushy tails. They are distinguished
from most other canids by their grizzled upperparts, buff neck and black-tipped
tail. The skull can be distinguished from all other North American canids
by its widely separated temporal ridges that form a U-shape. Males are slightly
larger than females.

The grey fox is a solitary hunter and eats a wide variety of
food. The most important food source for the grey fox is probably the eastern
cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), but voles, field mice, shrews, and birds
are readily captured and eaten. The grey fox suppliments its diet with whatever
fruits are readily available and generally eats more vegetable matter than
the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

The breeding season of grey foxes varies geographically. In
Michigan, grey foxes mate in early March; in Alabama, breeding peaks occur
in February. Where red foxes and grey foxes occur together, grey foxes breed
2-4 weeks after the red foxes. Gestation lasts about 53 days; the mean litter
size is 3.8 and ranges from 1-7. By 3 months, pups begin to hunt with their
parents. After four monthes, the young have their permanent dentition and
can forage on their own. The family group remains together until autumn when
the young reach sexual maturity and disperse.

Grey foxes are unique among canids in their ability to climb trees. They have
strong, hooked claws that allow them to scramble up trees to avoid predators
or to get fruit. They descend primarily by jumping from branch to branch.
Grey foxes are nocturnal or crepuscular and den during the day in hollow trees,
stumps or old woodchuck burrows. They are assumed to be monogamous; radio
tracking data suggest that family groups maintain separate home ranges.

Spider Monkey

The
habitat is South America in high branches and the canopy, Amazon Rainforest,
Central Mexico, Bolivia and Brazil. The diet is fruits and leaves mainly.
Also nuts, eggs, seeds, and insects. It's enemies are poachers (humans) and
jaguars.
They are considered to be a "New World" monkey and belong to the
family Cebidae and Genus Ateles. There are at least 6 different species of
spider monkeys in the Genus Ateles.
Females breed at about 4 years old. They give birth to one baby at a time.
The young depends on its mother for about 10 weeks. The Spider monkey has
a life span of about 25 -30 years. They have very human-like fingerprints
and they do not have a thumb. They have a prehensile tail which they can swing
and eat with. It is a 5th hand which means it is a sensitive organ. It is
longer than its body. Their tail can hold all their weight. They can also
pick food with their tail.

The Black handed Spider monkey male is about 38 - 49.5
cm in length, with a tail of between 59 - 82 cm, and weighs about 7.5 kg.
They have extremely flexible shoulders. Their leaping ability is tremendous
and they sprawl out like a spider. They are one of the most agile and acrobatic
animals in the rainforest. As they swing, they sometimes break branches and
throw them. They also make a "barking" type noise. They are well
known for their screeching type calls. They travel in bands of about 70-100
monkeys and are active mainly during the day. Spider monkeys do not like the
water, but they can cope with it.

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

The
habitat is Central and South America and South West USA. It lives in the dense
understory layer of tropical rain forest, swamps, and open country. The diet
is grown animals like peccaries, capybara, sloth, tapir, deer, monkeys, cattle,
fish, frogs, turtles and small gators. It's enemies are poachers (humans)
which hunt it for its coat. Jaguars "almost" never attack people.
However some have killed people. They sleep on branches. The jaguar has hooked
claws for climbing and catching fish.
Jaguars are rarely seen in the rainforest, even by the people who live there.
They are excellent climbers, but usually stalk their prey on the ground. They
like to swim and spend a lot of time swimming. They are very fast and cover
short distances very quickly. There are Black jaguars which are not common.
The jaguar is the 3rd largest cat. They reach their adult size at about age
four. They give birth to 2-4 young and they are born blind. They can live
up to 22 years.
Males can weigh up to 250 pounds. Females can weigh up to 150 pounds. They
can be up to 73 inches in length, have a red nose, and very sharp teeth which
can bite through caiman hide. The Jaguar's tail is about 6 feet long. It gives
them standing balance. They are a very solitary animal. The jaguar is a water-loving
cat and catches a considerable portion of its prey, like caimans and fish,
there.

Called Balam and venerated by the ancient Maya, the now-protected large cat
still lives in the lowland jungles of the region. Maya rulers were often named
after the jaguar and wore their skins.

Margay (Felis wiedii)

The size og the Margay is about 60 cm (2 ft) with a 45 cm (18") tail.
An adult weighs about 10 kg (20 lbs). It normally nests 1-2 cubs. It's habitat
is mature forests where it lives solitary. The Margay prefers to eat Arboreal
animals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Margays are probably the most nocturnal of all the cats of Central America.
Known as the "tiger cat" in Belize and the southern part of Mexico,
the Margay lives most of its life in the canopy of the tropical forests. This
small cat is perfectly adapted for life in the trees - it is the only cat
with ankle joints that can rotate sufficiently for it to climb headfirst down
vertical trees.

Being an excellent climber, the margay feeds on arboreal prey such as rats,
squirrels, opossums, monkeys and birds. The margay's eyes are very large and
the eyeshine at night is extremely bright. Margays are very secretive, and
prefer the more remote and dense sections of forests. Because of this, margays
are rarely seen.

Margays do not adapt well to human disturbance
of its habitat. This cat is listed as an endangered animal, though the status
of its population throughout its range from Mexico to Argentina is unknown.
Belize and the Chetemul Bay areas are thought to have one of the healthier
populations of Margays in Central America.

Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata)

The
habitat is the Central and South American Rainforests. It lives in the canopy
layer but also spends time on ground. It's diet is Fruits and nuts. It's enemies
are jaguars, other large mammals, large snakes and humans.
There are many different species and subspecies. They are the noisiest animal
in creation and they can be heard up to a mile away. The Howler is about 2-3
feet in length and weighs about 15 pounds. Males are usually larger than females.
Their life span is about 20 years. Howler monkeys have a prehensile tail.
Their colors can vary from reddish to brownish to blackish. They live in groups
of 4 - 20 or more members depending on the species. Howlers are good swimmers.
The female will give birth to one young. Twins are possible, but very rare.
Howlers have excellent vision and can see up to one-half a mile. Howler monkeys
love to irritate jaguars from high up in the canopy. They will sometimes throw
sticks and branches at the jaguar below. The jaguar, meanwhile, is hoping
that one of the howlers will slip and fall to the ground.

Central American
Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri oerstedii)

Squirrel monkeys belong to the family Cebidae. There are many different species
of squirrel monkeys. They are one of the most common monkeys in South America.
Males are normally larger than females and a typical Central American squirrel
monkey male might be between 25 - 37 cm in length, have a tail between 37
- 46.5 cm, and weigh 0.6 - 1.1 kilograms. Spends most of its day in the canopy
layer of the rainforest. Can live to about 15 years old.

Squirrel monkeys follow capuchins around to food sources.
Many times they even play with the capuchins. Female Squirrel monkeys give
birth to one young. They are very alert for predators. They are very agile
and move about by leaping from branch to branch. Squirrel monkey travel in
groups. A group of 30 is not unusual, and sometimes the group can be much
larger. Young squirrel monkeys are very playful and energetic.

Ocelot (Felis pardalis)

The
habitat is the forest and bushlands from Texas USA to South America. They
live in the understory layer of rainforest. It's diet is agoutis, pacas, peccaries,
birds, rodents and small mammals. Males and females do not hunt together.
It's enemies are poachers (humans).
Ocelots are 30-41 inches long and weigh 15-30 lbs. The ocelot is nocturnal.
It has large eyes which allow it to see well in low light. They hunt in the
forest trees and also on the ground. It is a very fast runner and excellent
swimmer. They breed in any season and mate only at night. One or 2 kittens
are born each year. They are blind at first with a lot of fur. Males and females
live in pairs.

Puma (Felis concolor)The
habitat is parts of North, Central, and South America. They live in a variety
of environments, from dry to wet. It's diet is deer, beavers, porcupines and
monkeys. It's enemies are Poachers (humans), wolverines and grizzly bears.
The Puma is also known as cougar, mountain lion, and many more names. They
fight with other pumas over territory. Pumas kill their prey by ambush and
by breaking the neck of the prey. Rarely uses its claws to kill. Pumas leap
more than 15 feet.
Pumas that are full grown are about 5 feet long, not including tail (tail
is 2 to 3 feet long). Their fur is very soft and short. Adult Pumas are grayish,reddish
or yellowish color. Pumas are the second largest cat in America. Their body
is very muscular. They can jump up to six feet high while standing still.
Puma cubs have spots. The babies are born blind. They are born in dens. There
are 2-4 kittens in a litter.

Fruit Bat/Flying Fox

The
habitat is the rainforests. Often roost in caves (some roost in trees). Central
America to Africa to Asia to Australia. It's diet is most fruits except citrus.
It's enemies are humans and meat eating animals.
There are many different species of fruit bats. Some species of Fruit bats
are also known as Flying foxes. They love to eat fruit and some actually sleep
in fruit trees. Many have a dog-like face which closely resembles a foxes.
Fruit Bats are multicolored. For the most part their eyesight is excellent,
and they are not as dependent on echolocation as other species of bats. They
have many teeth. They can have a wingspan of over three feet in length. Fruit
Bats have four fingers, but the thumb is the only one that sticks out. They
have an index finger to help grip and have two pairs of claws. Its arms are
in the top of its wings. Their wings provide a warm blanket at night. Their
wings are two very thin layers of skin. Fruit bats are important "seed
dispersers" for many rainforest plants.

Armadillo
The body length of an armadillo is 15-17 in. The tail is approx. 14-16 in.
and it weighs approx.8-17 lbs.

The Nine-banded Armadillo is a cat-sized, armored, insect-eating
mammal. Similar in form to an anteater, the bony, scaled shell of the armadillo
protects it from attacks by predators. Unfortunately, armadillos often fall
victim to automobiles and are frequently found dead on roadsides.

A prolific digger, armadillos dig many burrows, as well as dig
for food. Distribution is often determined by soil conditions, since the animal
will not survive in areas where the soil is too hard to dig. Many other wildlife
species use and benefit from these abandoned burrows.

Although occasionally considered a nuisance by home owners,
the armadillo's habit of digging up lawns is driven by its appetite for grubs,
which can also harm lawns. It eats insects and other invertebrates. Skilled
at digging for grubs. Occasionally eats berries and bird eggs.

Although breeding occurs in July, the embryo remains in a dormant
state until November. Four young are born in a burrow in March. All four young,
always of the same sex, are identical quadruplets and developed from the same
egg. They even share a single placenta while in the womb. Armadillos are the
only mammals in which multiple young form from a single egg with any regularity.
The Armadillo is widely distributed throughout Central and South America it
is found also in the southern states of the U.S. and is the designated state
mammal of Texas. The armadillo can be found throughout the Costa Maya area.

Northern Tamandua

The
Tamandua Mexicana is externally identical to the Southern Tamandua except
that the Northern Tamandua is distinguished from it by characters of the skull.
All individuals are black vested. Similar species are the monkeys, which have
a short muzzle and Giant Anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), which have bushy
tails and are much larger.

They are diurnal and nocturnal, arboreal, terrestrial and solitary. It feeds
mainly on ants, termites, and bees extracted after ripping apart their nests
with their fore claws. Tamanduas can be seen foraging on the ground or in
the canopy anywhere in the forest, but seem most common beside watercourses
and epiphyte-laden habitats, where their prey may be concentrated. By day
in the rainforest a dense cloud of flies and mosquitoes accompanies them so
they often brush their eyes with a forepaw. When inactive, tamanduas rest
in hollow trees, burrows of other animals or other natural shelters.

Their local names are: Oso Hormiguero, Tamanduá, Susurete, Oso Amarillo,
Brazo Fuerte, Oso Mielero in Spanish, it’s called an ant bear in Belize
and in Mayan it is called Chab.

Tayra, Comadreja Grande

Tayras
are identified by their glossy, dark brown to black upper parts, legs, feet
and tail. The fur on their heads is short and stiff, while the fur on the
body and tail is long and glossy. Its under fur is brown. The head and neck
sharply contrast with a grizzled tan on the back, which may be a gray-brown
or yellowish color, but is rarely dark brown or the same. Their ears are small
and round, the same color as the head, and not protruding above the crown.
Their under parts are completely black or dark brown, except for a bright
pale yellow to orange spot, often triangular, on their chest and throat. Their
tail is bushy, and about two-thirds as long as their head and body. Partial
webs that reach to the base of the last joint join their toes. Tayras are
muscular large weasels, much like a small dog with long, slightly humped back
and log tail. Young entirely black, sometimes with white throat patch and/or
white head.

They are similar with bush dogs (Speothos venaticus), short-eared dogs (Atelocynus
microtis) grisons (Galictis vittata) and jaguarundis (Herpailurus yaguarondi).
Tayra’s sounds are snorts in alarm and growl and squeal when cornered.
They are diurnal except near human habitations, where also crepuscular, terrestrial
and arboreal. Feeds on small vertebrates, especially rodents, insects, fruit
and honey. The available field data shows that they travel long distances
of 2 to 8 kms. each day, within their enormous home ranges of 10-24 kms2.
They are wary and not often seen, but are much commoner than any of the similar
species. They are fond of papayas, and if undisturbed become tame when they
raid fruit near houses. They inhabit mature and secondary rainforests, dry
forests, gallery forests, cloud forests, and gardens and plantations. They
live in Central and South America. One of the most common and widespread carnivores,
tayras can live in disturbed habitats near man. Tayras are also called Bush
dog in Belize, melero, papa-mel, comadreja, mama, umba, melero, tayra, zorro
palmichera, tolomuco, tejón, manco, perro de monte, cabeza de mate,
gato eira, comadreja grande, gato negro, cabeza de viejo and guache in Spanish,
and sacol in Mayan.

Peccary

Their
uniformly grizzled gray-black upper parts, a faint but distinct collar or
a stripe of pale yellow hairs, which extend from top to shoulder forward to
the lower cheek, identifies Collared Peccary. Their mid-back from head to
rump has a crest of long hairs, raised in excitement, and a large scent gland
along the spine. Their hair is sparse; they have coarse bristles, banded black
and white or yellow. Their head is large, sharply tapering from their large
jowls to a narrow nose, their nostrils are in a naked, mobile disk small,
protruding a little beyond the rostrum, and they have large canines, form
distinct limps under lip, do not protrude.

Their eyes are small with a weak eye shine. They have reddish, small ears,
covered with short hair. Their tail is tiny, or better said, not visible.
Their forefeet have two large toes and two smaller rear toes that do not touch
the ground (so they don’t appear in tracks), while their hind feet have
two large toes and one smaller toe. Their young are grizzled reddish brown.
They are pig-like, with a stout body, a thick neck and thin, delicate legs.
The Collared Peccary is similar to the white-lipped peccary (T. pecary), Chacoan
peccaries (Catagonus wagneri) Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris).

Their sound is usually quiet, but if surprised at close range may give very
loud doglike barks, “Whoof” while in flight. They may also clack
their teeth sharply. Their grunts (perhaps threats) are rarely heard.

They chew on nuts and snails with a loud cracking. Collared peccary are
diurnal in the rainforest; they are terrestrial, and form groups of 1 to 20
members, usually 6 to 9. Loose groups often change in composition: males are
sometimes solitary. In rainforests they feed on fruit, palm nuts, browse,
snails, other invertebrates, and small vertebrates.

They release a strong odor, like cheese or chicken soup, especially when
alarmed, and they frequently mark their trails by scraping the ground in front
of a pole with their hooves, defecating in the scrape, and rubbing their back
gland on the pole. They regularly use mud wallows and salt licks in favored,
traditional spots. Collared peccaries are wary and surprisingly quiet and
difficult to approach; they stampede in panic when they detect humans, and
they are not dangerous (but those raised in captivity or habituated to man
may be very aggressive, and inflict serious bite wounds).

They are found in different habitats: from dry, shrubby Sonora desert and
chaco to deep rainforest. Note that their behavior is different in hot, dry
habitats, where peccaries feed on cacti, and where they are active at night.
In this habitat they do not use burrows. They live in Central and South America.
They are widespread and locally common, but hunted intensively for meat, sport,
and hides. Collared peccaries are rare or absent near many settlements but
not threatened, in general.

Anteater, Oso
hormiguero (Tamandua mexicana)

The
Anteater is an insect-eating mammal found in Mexico (including the Costa Maya),
Central America, and South America. It has a long head with a long, tubular
mouth and long tongue, but no teeth. The giant anteater, weighing up to 86
lbs., is the largest species of anteater. It lives in forests and swampy areas
and on open plains and is active mostly during the day in areas where there
are few people, and is night dwelling in densely populated areas.

The coarse coat is gray, with a white-bordered black stripe on each shoulder,
and the tail is long and bushy. The front claws, used to tear open termite
mounds and for defense, are so long that they are tucked under, and the animal
walks on its knuckles. The long sticky tongue flicks quickly in and out of
the small mouth opening, scooping up termites or other insects.The pygmy anteater
is the smallest species of anteater, ranging from 13 to 20 inches. It is covered
with golden-brown fur. Its jaws curve to form a short tube, and it eats termites
and other insects. Living mainly in the trees, it has a prehensile tail (which
means that the tail can be used as a hand in grasping branches. The two species
of lesser anteaters are the size of a large domestic cat and have short, coarse,
tan to blackish hair, usually with a black band around body and neck. They
also live in trees but frequently come down to the ground. Both the pygmy
and the lesser anteaters are mostly nocturnal and walk on the sides of their
front feet because of the length of their claws. All three species are characterized
by solitary habits and a low reproductive rate. The female carries the single
young on her back during its growth; in the case of the giant anteater, this
can last almost one year. Other, unrelated mammals called anteaters are the
aardvark, echidna, pangolin, and numbat, or banded anteater, a marsupial.